UNDP and WorldShare continue to support the construction of storm- and flood-resilient houses in Quang Binh province

At the signing ceremony in Hanoi on January 25th 2022, representatives from UNDP, WorldShare, and the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) of Quang Binh province were in attendance.

The ceremony marked the second phase of the cooperation between UNDP and WorldShare to help poor and disadvantaged households whose homes were severely damaged during the record-level storms in 2020. Thirty-nine resilient houses were built during the first phase, and last December these were handed over to families in coastal Le Thuy district. The cooperation falls under the framework of the crowdfunding campaign entitled 'Safe Houses Save Lives' launched by UNDP in response to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Quang Binh authorities’ call for support to assist poor households who encountered housing difficulties due to the disasters in 2020.

At the signing ceremony, Ms. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam said: "According to a recent study on resilient housing conducted by UNDP and the Ministry of Construction, over 110,000 families still live without safe housing across 28 coastal provinces, including more than 25,000 in coastal districts. Therefore, it is vital that we deepen our partnership with World Share, Quang Binh DPI, and all other stakeholders to continue building the resilience of houses and households in the province. We are working closely with local authorities and people to build 73 more resilient houses in Quang Binh province by June 2022 before the next storm season."

Mr. Cho Hyun Woo, Deputy Chief of Mission, Korean Embassy in Viet Nam said “The collaboration between the UNDP in Viet Nam and WorldShare, the Korean-based non-governmental organization, has been of genuine benefit to Quang Binh which is working hard to recover from the disaster that struck the region two years ago. Our special thanks go to the UNDP in Viet Nam.”

"We are thrilled that 39 poor households now have resilient houses and will no longer have to worry whenever the storms return. When disasters such as storms or floods approach, we need to provide emergency support and bring forth what they need the most. WorldShare is delighted to continue with UNDP to help 73 poor families who are now dwelling in dilapidated shelters in Quang Binh. We hope that with our contribution, more people can improve their lives and the cooperation between UNDP and WorldShare can help them reduce the financial burden caused by disasters," said Mr. Dae Hoon, Country Director of WorldShare Viet Nam.

Speaking on behalf of Quang Binh province, Mr. Phan Phong Phu, Director of the Quang Binh DPI, noted, "In 2020, Quang Binh was seriously affected by two historic floods, which damaged thousands of houses, schools, and public works and caused the loss of about 3.5 trillion dong. Difficulties kept piling up as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, and people have not fully recovered from the disasters. Therefore, we highly appreciate the support of the donors for Quang Binh, including UNDP and WorldShare"./.